SPD's Second Quarter Safety Report Shows Decrease in Crime

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Springfield Police Department's Second Quarter Safety Report reveals a decrease in crime. According to the report, overall crime decreased by 17 percent in the second quarter this year compared to the same time last year-- which is April through June.

According to the report, overall crime decreased by 17 percent in the second quarter this year compared to the same time last year-- which is April through June.

Springfield Police say this is the first downward trend they've seen in violent crimes in the last couple of years-- crimes against people declined by ten percent.

"From homicides to larcenies-- every crime showed a downward trend," says Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams. "And that's really what we are looking for, to impact everything. We need more folks, but we aren't waiting until we get more people to have an impact."

While overall crime decreased by 17 percent in the second quarter of 2014, crimes against people declined by ten percent.

"The most encouraging thing for me here is we have our first downward trend in violent crimes we've seen in the last couple of years," says Chief Williams.

"It shows police have a focus," says Springfield Resident Susanna McCrimmons. "And they're in the neighborhoods doing what they can to help."

Property crime decreased by 18 percent.

"The theft rates we knew would go down because we've had that great relationship with convenience stores to do away with gas drive offs," says Chief Williams. "But burglaries are down, auto thefts are down, robberies are down-- and aggravated assaults driven by domestic assaults are down for the first time in two years."

"It makes you feel good to know the police do care," says McCrimmons. "And they're just a phone call away to assist you."

Chief Williams says police have been working with the community to make sure people are doing their part.

"We have more neighborhood watch groups, more citizens engaged," he says. "More people helping us help them from becoming victims."

While the chief hopes to be able to get more officers on board, Williams believes with great police work and great partnerships within the community-- crime will continue to decline.

"There are only 330 police officers and 160,000 people in the city," he says. "So all 160,000 have to work together to keep those couple thousand of bad guys at bay and keep them from making victims of everybody else."

The report also showed clearances of stolen vehicle cases nearly doubled-- increasing from 14 to 27 percent because of the Vehicle Theft Unit.